Apparatus for



s. UROUKOFF Oct. 2, 1934.

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPES Original Filed May 2, 1930 5 Sheets-Sheet-l f mlllh 55am arm/fag Maw.

Oct. 2, 1934. s, UROUKOFF Re. 19,335

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPES Original Filed May 2,-1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2wav /far? I 153L606 f v @XMWWMM.

Oct. 2, 1934. s. UROUKOFF APPARATUS FOR CLEANING PIPES S Sheets-Sheet 3Original Filed May 2, 1930 Reissued Oct. 2, 1934 19,335 APPARATUS Fortmamm- Pins Steve Uroukofi, Harvey, Ill. 1: original No. 1,266,810,dated; July 12,1932, Serial No. 449,192, May 2, 1930, Application forreissue July 5, 1934, Serial No. 233,883 I I 6 Claims. (OL22 -112) butiswasted by the discharge of the cleaning 'fiuid comprising water andcleaning compound before ithas performed the desired function andwithout actually loosening the slime, dirt, etc. in the pipes andflushing them clean. 7

One of the objects of the invention is the pro vision of an improvedmethod of cleaning pipes,

by means of which a greater agitation of the cleaning fluid isproducedin the pipes and a better cleaning operation efiected with a more ecog0nomical use of cleaner.

' Another object is the provision of an improved method of pipecleaning, which is more expedisinus and eifeotive than the methods ofthe prior art. I

- Another object is the provision of an improved pipe cleaning apparatuswhich is peculiarly adapted to carry out the improved method ofcleaning. pipes expeditiously and effectively and which is applicable tothe modern types of pipes,

. 3G coils and fixtures used for beverages.

" Another object is the provision of a pipe cleanv ing apparatus, whichis economical in the use of cleaning compound, and which is adapted togive an indication of the condition of the cleaning fluid at any timeand the condition of clearness of the pipes while the device is inoperation, so that the fluid may be supplied in such quantities as arenecessary to clean most effectively, and the operation may be continuedwithout cessation until the pipes are effectively cleaned as indicated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description and from the accompanying drawings, in whichsimilar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout theseveral views.

Referring to the drawings, of which there are three sheets:

Fig. 1 is a front, elevational view in partial sectlon, of the pipecleaning apparatus in operation 30 upon one form of installation forcooling and dispensing beverages;

-Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the pipe cleaning device utilizedin Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical, medial, sectional view ofv the device shown inFig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in partial section, taken. on the plane'of the line 4-4of Fig. 3;. and

Fig. 5-. is ahorizontal, sectional view taken on the plane line 55 ofFig. 4, with the parts of the-valve in another position.

Referring to Fig. 1,. the pipe cleaning device is indicated in, itsentirety by the numeral 10, and the device is illustrated in connectionwith one of the types of beverage cooling boxes 11 inwhich a pluralityof coils of tubing 12, 13- of copper or other non-corrodible metal areemployed for cooling the beverage, The coil box 11 is usually provided.with asink .14. having a discharge conduitlficonnectedwith sink 14through an enlarged opening 16, and the coil box is usually providedwith a plurality of beverage faucets 17, 18 and a water faucet 19.

The jwater faucet 19 constitutes a source of supply of water underpressure, for use as a cleaning fluid with or without the cleaningcompound, which is usually employed for cleaning beverage pipes, andwhich can be purchased on the open market, but if a water faucet doesnot happen to be located near the pipes, the operation canbeaccomplished by the use of a pressure pump and supply receptaclecontaining water.

The coils l2 and 13 either extend into the base of the, coil box 11where they are connected to kegs, barrels or other receptaclescontaining the beverage to. be dispensedor the coils may be providedwith conduits 20, 21 extending downward throughthe floor 22 into thecellar, where they are connected to barrels or other containerscontaining the beverage under pressure. The cleaning system illustratedin Fig. 1 is of peculiar advantage where the coils 12, 13 to be'cleaned, extend down into the cellar so that both ends of the same coilare not readily accessible atthe same point, in which case a pluralityof the -'coil s to be cleaned may be connected in series as illustratedinFig. I, and the cleaning apparatus applied to'thefaucets 17, 18 of theend coils in the series; While the system illustrated merely includestwo coils, it should be understood that any number of coils may beconnected in series, depending upon the water pressure available and thelength of-the coils, and the system illustrated may be extended byconnecting two more coils in the same manner illustrated in Fig. 1, andextending a hoserfrom the faucet 1'7 to the next adjacent faucet toprovide a system of four coils in series.

In'Fig'. 1, the lower ends of the pipes 20,21 have merely beendisconnected from the respective" barrels into which they ordinarilyextend,

and connected together by means of appropriate pieces of hose andcouplings, diagrammatically indicated at 23. It should be understood,however, that the present method and apparatus is equally applicable, tothe expeditious cleaning of one coil or a plurality of coils, and thecleaning of-several coils:at-the sameitime isutilized for the purposeof:p'erforming the work with a minimum expenditure of labor and time.

Referring to Figs. 2 to 4, the pipe cleaning device 10 preferablyincludes a supply conduit 24 which is provided with a control valve 25.an indicating device 26 for showing the condition of the cleaning fluidat any time, and'ia. discharge" conduit 27. The device also preferablyincludes a cleaning compound receptacle '28; interposed in the supplyconduit 24 so as to'be dissolved in the water passing through thesupplybbnduit 24 to effect a better cleaning of the pipes, llcoils" orfixtures.

1 The presentmethodcfcleaning pipes might be .carried out by manydifferent form'sofapparatus but the apparatus illustrated is peculiarlyadapted to" be manufactured economically and this apparatus has manyadvantages which are peculiar to the structure of the cleaning device;

observed after it has passedthrough the-pipes to be cleaned but beforeit is discharged" into the sewer. The transparent receptacle'26 mayconsist of a glass jar having an open end-30 which is in communication withthe conduits 27 and 31". The cleaning device may be provided win-1ametal fitting 32 of substantially cylindrical form; having a threadedbore 33 for 'commun'ication'wlth the conduit 27 and a second threadedbore '34 for communication with conduit 31. 1 a

The fitting 32 is provided with an upwardly projecting annular Wall 35and with an annular rubber gasket 36 upon which the lower edge 37" ofthe glass jar 26 rests, an'd'th'e fitting 532 is thus adapted toclose'th'elower end'of the jar 26 except for the conduit's 2'7 and 31,which are in communication with the interior of glass receptacle 26. v n

The glass jar 26 may consist of an ordinary tum'blerand it maybesupported upon the fixture 32 by means of the metalbody38 which alsoforms the cleaning compound receptacle 28 and supply conduit 24; Themetal 'body'38 comprises a substantially cylindrical member having anupwardly extending cylindrical wall 39 forming the chamber 28, the upperend of the'wall 39 being provided with threads-40 for receiving;complementary threads formed in a quickly detacha ble. cap 41 havingwings 42 for convenient manipulation. l

' The cap 41 is preferably formed with an .annular shoulder 43 forengaging the upper edge 44 of wall 39 and gasket 45 of rubbenor similarmaterial is confined. between the annular shoulder 43 and the upper edge44 of the 'wall.39,'.there.- by making the chamber 25 waterproof.

' The chamber 28 islprovided withthe supply conduits 24, 46 which extendintothe chamber adjacentthe bottom'4'7 of the chamber so as to I toreceive the threaded ends of the bolts 52.

utilize all of the cleaning compound placed in chamber 38, and theconduits 24, 46 may be provided with threads for engagement withcomplementary parts in connecting the cleaning device to a water supplyand to the valve 25.

The base of the metal body 38 is also provided with, a depending"annular wall48 for confining theglass jar- 26 inplace and. a rubbergasket 49 may be interposed between the tumbler 26 and metal body 38 forprotecting the glass against rb'reakage and permitting the metal jaws toresiliently clamp the glass in place.

The metal body 38 is preferably provided with laterally projecting lugs50 at each side and the fixture 22,is likewise provided with laterallyprojectingfglugs. 51 at each side, the lugs 51 being provided withapertures for receiving the elongated bolts 52 and the lugs 50 beingthreaded The bolts 52 draw the metal body 38 and fixture 22 togetherand'assure the clamping of the tumbler 26' in'place and the formation ofa watertight joint atthe gasket 36.'- I 4 The cleaning'devi'ce 10'isconveniently supported bythe base 29 which 'also-forms a part f 'of'the" discharge conduit by providihg' 'a downwardly extending pipe 58whichis connected by anelbow54 to a horizontally'extending pipe 55 whichis connected by an elbow 56-to a vertically extending pipe 57'which issecured to'the base 29;

The horizontally extending pipe 55 and elbows 54, 56 permit the locationof base 29 at a central pointwh'ich is substantiallyvertically downwardfrom the center of gravity'of the complete device 10 'with respect tothe base 29. wardlyextending pipe 53 locates the elbows 54, 56 ataj'suflicient distance from the fixture 22 so as to m-ake'room-for theconduit 31. The fluid coming from the supply conduits 2'4, 46 ispreferably controlled; by a valve 25 which is' capable of reversing theflow of cleaning fluid-"with respect to'the coils 12, 13 or the singlecoil to which the cleaning device may be connected. The valve 25 istherefore provided with a valve casing-58 preferably consisting of atapered metal member which is provided with an inner wall surface 59ofsubstantially frustoconical form for'receiving the valve body 25 ofcomplementaryfrusto-conical form.

The valve casing '58 is provided atitslower end with a conduit-60communicating with the interior of the casing and'at one side with aconduit 61 which may bethreaded to receive the threads of conduit 46communicating with the source of supply. z "Referring to Fig.4, thevalve casing 58 is also provided with a pair ofla-terally projectingconduits or pipe conne'ctions 62, 63 which may be formed with anexterior corrugated surface 64 for retaining the hose or conduits 65, 66which are connected'to faucets 17, 18 or to the ends of a single coil.The upper end of valve casing 58 may be provided with a cover 67 securedto the casing by a plurality of screw bolts 68 passing through the coverand threaded into threaded The side walls 71, 72 of slot 69 providestops for limiting the movement of valve 25 and definitely locating thepassages of valve 25 in proper registration with the'conduitsfil, 62,63.

The valve body 25 comprises a substantially frusto-conical metal memberadapted to fit closely in the valve casing 58 and provided-with a.plurality of passages or conduits for directing the flow of. the waterin either direction through a pipe 13. In order to assure a watertightconnection between the valve body and its casing, the cover plate 67 maybe provided with athreaded bore '73 axially located with respect tovalve body 25 and the bore '73 is adapted to receive a set. screw 74having a lock nut 75, in. such man:- ner. that. a. predetermined amountof pressure may be brought to bear upon the upper end of valve body 25,forcing. the tapered valve body into close engagement with the walls ofcasing 58.

The valve body 25 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extendingconduits or slots. '76, '77 in the outer surface of the frusto-conicalbody 25, and the slots 76, 7'7 each communicate at their lower endthrough conduits 78, 79 with an axially located conduit 80 communicatingwith the conduit 60 at the lower end of valve casing 58.

In the: present embodiment, the pipe connections, or. conduits 63, 64are located at opposite sides of the valve casing. 58 ordiametricallyopposite to each. other, and the amount of movementpermitted to. the handle '70 is such that when the conduit '77communicates with conduit 63 asin Fig. 4, the conduit '76 is displacedwith respect to conduit 62 asin Fig. 4, and consequently the slots '76,7'7 are substantially 45 apart on the circumference of thefrusto-conical valvebody 25. This spacing of the conduits or passages inthe valve body may be varied provided the spacing is such that theproper conduits are opened and closed as described herein.

The valve'body 25 is also provided with a transversely extending slot orconduit 81 located in the rear side of the valve body 25 with respect tohandle '70 for cooperation with conduit 61'. The length of slot 81 issuch that when the parts are in the position of Fig. 4, the conduit 61is in. communication with conduit 62 through slot 81, and when the partsare in the position of Fig.

, 5, the conduit161 is in communication with conduit 63 through slot 81.

The handle may consist of a cast metal member flxedly'secured in valvebody 25 by a drive 'fit in thetransverse bore 82 or by providing thehandle and bore with complementary threads.

The lower end of valve casing 58 communicates with conduit 31 andconsequently with the glass indicating chamber 26 through any convenientform of piping. For instance, a short threaded pipe 83 is threaded intobore 34 of fixture 22 and connected with an elbow 84. Elbow 84 isconnected by a coupling 85 to a second elbow 86 and elbow 86 by a shortthreaded pipe 8'7.to a coupling 88 which is secured by a lock nut 89 tothe lower-end of valve casing 58. Gaskets 90 may be provided'at anypoints in the couplings or pipes where it is necessary to assure awatertight joint.

The assembly of the foregoing parts will be evident fromthe descriptionand drawings, and

the operation of the cleaning device is as follows.

The supply'conduit is connectedto a source of water: supply underpressure, such as the faucet 19,.by means of hose 91 after the cleaningcompound chamber 28 has'been supplied with any standard type of'cleaning compound to an amount necessaryfor'thecleaning operationdesired. Thepipe connection conduits 62, 63 are 75,; then connected. tothe ends of. asingle coil pipe or fixture to be cleaned, and the. wateris turned on at the faucet 19.

The water then passes through supply conduit 24- and cleaning compoundchamber 23 into valve chamber 58. Assuming. the parts of the valve arein the position of Figs.. 3. and 4, the water passes through conduit46", conduit 61, slot 81, pipe connection conduit 62, hose 65, pipe t2,-pipe 20, hose 23, pipe 21, pipe 13,. faucet 18, hose" 66, pipeconnection 63, slot 7'7, conduit 79, conduit 30, conduit 60, conduit 31,glass tumbler 26, conduit 27, base 29 into the sewer pipe 15.

The cleaning compound is dissolved in or car-- ried with the water intothe pipes 12 and 13, and the cleaning fluid surges through the pipes 12and 13 into the indicating device 26, where it can be observed thatthewater has carriedwith it dirt, slime, etc. from the pipes 12, 13.When the dirty water is observed in. glass 26, the valve handle 70 ismoved from the right in Fig. 4, towards the left, thereby moving thevalve parts to the position of Fig. 5. This moves the slot 7'7 out ofregistry with the pipe connection 63, and slot 81 out of registry withpipe connection 62, but moves the slot 76 into registry with pipe 62 andslot 81 into registry with. pipe 63. The slot 81 is in continuousconnection with conduit 46.

Beginning at the conduit 46, it will be observed that the water willthen pass through slot 81 to conduit 63, and through the coils l3 and 12in the opposite direction, thence through conduit 62, slot 76, conduit78, conduit 60, conduit 31, glass 26, conduit 27 to the sewer pipe 15.

In other words, the direction of flow of the cleaning fluid through thepipes 12 and 13 is immediately reversed and the surge of cleaning fluidthrough the pipes 12 and 13 is brought to a stop by means of the waterpressure and the water caused to move in the opposite direction. Thisreversal of flow occupies an appreciable lapse of time so that the dirtywater which has been observed in glass 26 drains out through conduit 27into sewer pipe 15and a very short time later, the dirty cleaning fluidagain appears in the indicating device 26, indicating to the operatorthat a complete reversal has taken place in the direction of flow andshowing the condition of the cleaning fluid at this time.

The valve 25 is then reversed. a suflicient number of times to clean thepipes effectively, and if desired, the reversal of flow may be madeperiodic or a short time may be permittedto elapse be tween theactuations of the valve handle '70- to permit the dirty or spentcleaning fluid to flow out of the system and cause a fresh supply ofcleaning fluid to flow into the system. In other words, the device maybe operated so as to cause a positive surging back and forth, orpositive agitation of the cleaning fluid in the pipes with only a slightamount of waste, such as is required to give a positive indication ofthe reversal of flow or a new supply of cleaning fluid may be drawn intothe pipes as often as desired.

Ordinarily from five to ten reversals of the valve handle are suflicienttoeffect a thorough cleaning of any ordinary beverage pipe, after whichthe handle may be left in one position until the cleaning compound hasbeen washed out and the pipes may be flushed out by means of a supply ofclear water. The handle may then be pushed back and forth to produce apositive agitation of the clear water inthe coilsand effect a thoroughflushing out of the cleaning compound, after which the water supply maybe shut Thepresent method of cleaning beverage pipes will be evidentfrom'the foregoing description of the operation of the apparatus, butthe method is capable of being carried out by a number of differentforms-of apparatus, only one of which is disclosed herein. The methodpreferably includes the connection of the pipes in series, but may alsobe practiced upon single pipes, and the series connection is onlyemployed where it is possible to clean several pipes at once, or wherethe ends of the pipes are inconveniently located at points remote fromeach other.

The methodincludes the filling of the pipe with cleaning fluid underpressure and reversing the flow of the cleaning fiuid in the pipes toeffect a positive agitation of the fluid and a cleaning of the pipe. Theflow is preferably reversed a plu-. rality of times to cause thewateru'nder pressure to surge through ,the pipe in opposite directionsand facilitate a better cleaning.

If desired, the reversal may be made periodic without the use of anindicating device, since the operator may learn the length of timerequired for reversal and the mode of manipulation of the valvetoproduce positive agitation without the necessity for an indication.

The method preferably includes the forcing of the cleaning fluid throughthe pipe until the flow indication is observed so that the condition ofthe cleaning fluid and consequently the condition of cleanliness of thepipes may be observed at any time, after which the flow may be reversedrapidly or periodically until the pipe is clean and additional cleaningfluid may be supplied if desired during the cleaning operation, bymerely permitting a longer period of time to elapse between thereversals of the valve.

After positive cleaning has been effected by the surging and agitationof the liquid, the clean fluid is preferably permitted to flow out andthe pipes flushed by permitting. fresh water to flow through them oreffecting a positive agitation of the fresh water in the pipes.

The apparatus need not necessarily be arranged to eifect'a shut-off ofthe flow during the movement of the valve from one position to theother, and it is sufficient that the valve effect a reversal with orwithout a shutting off of flow at the intermediate position of thevalve.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of the apparatus and thepreferred practice of the method, many modifications maybe made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to belimited to the precise details of construction set forth, nor to everydetail of the method described, but desire to avail myself of allchanges withinthe scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A pipe cleaning apparatus comprising a chamber for cleaning compoundformed with a cover and a socket in its lower surface, a supportingplate formed with a similar socket and having a pair of conduits passingthrough said plate, a tumbler communicating with said conduits andhaving its ends secured in said sockets, the first of said conduitspassing through said compound chamber into said tumbler and the secondof said conduits leading from said tumbler into a discharge opening.

2. A pipe cleaning apparatus comprising a chamber for cleaningcompoundformed with a cover and a socket'in its lower surface, a supportingplate formed with a similar socket and having a pair of conduits passingthrough said plate, a tumbler communicating with said conduitsand havingits ends secured in said sockets,

the first of said conduits passing through said compound chamber ,intosaid. tumbler and. the second of said conduits leading from said tumblerinto a discharge opening, said second conduit terminating in a bellshaped member adapted to cover a drain opening in a sink and said bellshaped member forming a base for said appara-v tus.

3. A pipe cleaning apparatus comprising a chamber for cleaning compoundformed with a. cover and a socket in its lower surface, a supportingplate formed with a similar socket and having a pair of conduits passingthrough said plate, a tumbler communicating with said conduits andhaving its ends secured in said sockets, the first of said conduitspassing through said compound chamber into said tumbler, the second ofsaid conduits leading from said tumbler to a discharge opening, saidfirstconduit having a frusto-conical enlargement formed with oppositelyextending pipe connections, a body rotatably mounted in said enlargementand having grooves for alternately connecting said cleaning compoundchamber with said pipe connections.

4. A pipe cleaning apparatus comprising a chamber for cleaning compoundformed with a cover and a socket in its lower surface, a supportingplate formed with a similar socket and having a pair of conduits passingthrough said plate, a tumbler communicating with said conduits andhaving its ends secured in said sockets, the first of said conduitspassing through said compound chamber into said tumbler, the second ofsaid conduits leading from said tumbler to a discharge opening, saidfirst conduit having a frusto-conical enlargement formed withop'positely extending'pipe connections, a body rotatably mounted in saidenlargement and having grooves for alternately connecting 'saidcleaningcompound chamber with said pipe connections, said body beingfrusto-conical in shape and forcing multiplying means for urging saidbody into said frusto-conical enlargement.

5. A pipe cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning compound chamber ofsubstantially cylindrical shape and'having conduits extending fromopposite sides thereof, a cover for said chamber, said chamber beingformed with a socket in the side opposite from said cover, a secondchamber carried by one of said conduits and communicating therewith,said second chamber having oppositely extending pipe connections and adownwardly extending conduit, a supporting plate having a socket formedin one side and having conduits communicating with said socket, one ofsaid conduits being said downwardly extending conduit, a transparentchamber communicating with said latter conduits and clamped in saidsockets, one of .said latter conduits being curved to have its lowerend'centrally located with'respect to said apparatus, and a base carriedby said latter conduit for supporting said apparatus.

6. A pipe cleaning apparatus comprising a cleaning compound chamber ofsubstantially cylindrical shape and having conduits extending fromopposite sides thereof, a cover for said chamber, said chamber beingformed with a socket in the side opposite from said cover, a secondchamber carried by one of said conduits and communicating therewith,said second chamber.having oppositely extending pipe connections and ato have its lower end centrally located with respect to said apparatus,and a base carried by said latter conduit for supporting said apparatus,said base comprising a bell shaped member adapted to substantially covera drain in a sink.

STEVE UROUKOFF.

